Shall Defiance County be Wet or Dry?

 In 1908, one of the biggest controversies in Defiance County revolved around the sale and intake of liquor. Should saloons exist in the villages of the county?  A big vote would be taken in October, 1908, to decide.

Long ago, the Hicksville folks had voted for "Personal Liberty," meaning that it was for each individual to decide whether to drink or not. It was well known that on Watson Richardson's lawn on the drive into town, a large maple tree drew men each day who stood under the cool shade to drink. Some thought that men could not resist the temptation to drink, so saloons were thriving, but many families were affected by this choice. Wages were bring drunk away and families suffered. 

By 1908, the Women's Christian Temperance Union was thriving, using their influence to convince men to stay away from strong drink.  According to one man's opinion, saloons cannot be reformed nor the habits of men changed, so it was best to take the temptation of drink away totally. But will it hurt the businesses in town and will the loss of the saloon tax have an effect on the economy of the towns?

In Farmer township, saloons were voted out by a huge majority and now no one wanted  them back.  Business was good!  Currently, a petition to oust the saloons was circulating in Hicksville, with a majority thought to support a dry county.  The problem was Mark Township...many went there to drink after it was banned in other areas of the county.  Many citizens of Mark Center apparently did not appreciate being the center of drink in Defiance County.

The Bryan Democrat, Bryan, Ohio, reported on 20 November 1908:

"DEFIANCE COUNTY SALOONS MAY SOON BE IN ONE TOWN, MORE DRY

On Dec 15, two saloons will pass out of existence in Mark Center, Defiance County, as the result of the decision of voters of Mark Township Saturday when at a Beal law local option election, the township voted dry by a majority of 87.  The unofficial figures are: dry 216, wets 129.

Two saloons both located at Mark Center villages are affected.  The saloons are conducted by Chas. Kisabeth and L. E. Ritterman.  They will pass out of existence thirty days from the day of the election.

Because of the result in Mark township, it is now said that a petition for a Beal law election in Sherwood village will be started.  There are two saloons in the village. Sherwood is an incorporated village and, for this reason, the election will simply be a municipal affair and will not include the township.  The drys also assert if Sherwood village votes dry, a petition will be started in Ney village.  If both Sherwood and Ney village vote dry, the saloon business of Defiance county will have been centered in Defiance city.

The voting out of the saloons in Mark township will make a change in the Hicksville situation.  Mark Center is located but a few miles from Hicksville and it has been the custom for many from the dry towns to visit Mark Center at different times during the week.  Hicksville drys assisted the Mark Center drys in the fight to oust the saloons in Mark township."

But it was not to be...

Civil War Pensioners in Defiance County - 1884 - Outlying Towns and Villages

                Pensioners - Farmer, Mark Center, Ney, Sherwood, The Bend, 

Wilseyville, Jewell, Evansport, Cicero

            "PENSIONERS

A List of Wounded and Disabled Soldiers in Defiance County

Below is a list of persons in Defiance County who were on the pension list of the United States, January 1, 1884, together with their injuries and the amounts they received."

The Defiance County Express, January 17, 1884, pg. 16

FARMER

Brown, Mary, widow, $8.00

Martin, Reuben, survivor, 1812, $8.00

Hosack, Uriah W., wounded in right shoulder, $4.00

Sweet, Harry, wounded in left shoulder, $8.00

Cory, Edwin, wounded in left humerus, $18.00

Houck, Benjamin F., wound in left arm, $18.00

Mavis, Abraham J., wounded in left side, $3.00

Rice, Hiram F., wounded in buttocks, $4.00

McConkey, Andrew P., varicose veins, $8.00

Kimmel, Rinaldo, hypertrophy, $6.00  (enlargement of organ, such as the heart)

MARK CENTER

Rohn Charlotte O., widow, $8.00

Wolf, Mary, widow 1812, $8.00

Horn, James W., loss part of finger, $2.00

Hagen, Paul, wound in left arm, ?

Horn, Thomas A., wound in right forearm, $4.00

Critchfield, Lyman, R., varicose veins, $8.00

Wineland, David, varicose veins, $6.00

Fitzgerald, Eleanor, widow, $8.00

NEY

Stinger, John, widow, $10.00

Bostater, Abram, amputed left leg, $6.00

Lichty, Joseph, disease of the eyes, $6.00

SHERWOOD

Reyff, Eusebuis, wound in left shoulder, $6.00

Rock, Henry Sr., wound in left arm, $6.00

Bloom, Samuel L. , chronic rheumatism, $6.00

THE BEND

Wagner, John, wound in face, loss of eye, $8.00

Anderson, James, disease of the liver, $6.30

WILSEYVILLE

Hatter, William M., wound in right arm, $18.00

JEWELL

Palmer, William H., wound in head and chronic diarrhea, $8.00

EVANSPORT

Allen, Louisa, widow, $8.00

Sullinger, Sarah, widow 1812, $8.00

Holopeter, Gideon W., wound in right shoulder, $5.00

Nagel, Christopher, wound in left shoulder, $6.00

Cameron, John S, wound in right thigh, $1.00

CICERO

Cornell, Charles, injury to abdomen, $2.00

Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery - Washington Township, Defiance County, Ohio

This cemetery was formed with the Emanuel Lutheran Church, State Route 15, Ney, when the church was founded. According to the Civilian Conservation Corps survey, it was once called the Ginther Graveyard.  Perhaps it already contained some graves when the church acquired the land.  It sits on the bank of Lick Creek which is at the back of the property.

The CCC survey, probably completed in the 1930s, but undated, noted that Mr. Geo. Garver was the caretaker.  At that time, it was "well wooded with oak and pine trees and was fenced on three sides with an ornamental wire fence" with the front side toward the church open.

The first burial in the graveyard, according to the survey, was Sarah Goller, 1876, a six year old child of the Gollers.  The surveyors, Cecil Cadwallader and Charles Gish, also named these 'important people" buried there:

Geo. Ginther, 1830-1915, a well-to-do and county known farmer

John Weber, 1853 - 1916, widely known farmer

Geo. Goller, a German settler from Whittenberg, who came to this county in 1855, and became one of the first citizens; he died in 1888

On the Goller stone is written his history about coming to America and "by frugal effort, became a foremost citizen of the county."

This information was provided by Arlo Fidder (Fidler?), Route 1, Ney, O.
 

On the early stones, information is often engraved in German or even a mix of German and English.  (gest - died and alter - aged, den - on) Some of the earliest burials here are listed below:

Goller, Mary Strahle: Born Feb. 27, 1830 at Wittenburgh, Germany.  Married to George Goller Jan. 3, 1850; Died Nov. 3, 1850; Aged 76y 8m 29d

            George - Born Wuertenburg, Germany, came to America in 1830, to Washington Twp 1855; died Jan. 12, 1908, aged 80y 2m 18d

Fieldner

Rosa, died May 9, 1882, aged 22y, 4m 23d, Dtr of C & R. Fieldner

Otto, died Apr 22, 1883, aged 75y 27d

Rosina C., died Oct. 3, 1910, aged 82y 9m 20d

Uffer

Christiana, Mutter: Frau Christ Uffer, Gest 3 Dec 1879, Alter 71j 3m 17t

Bergman

Herman, son of C & W Bergman Gest den 6  Sept 1, 1879, Alter 10m

Vollmer

Louisa, Frau des J. G. Vollmer, Gest Den 2 March 1889, Alter 58y 2m 1 t

Jacob George, Gest Den 26 July 1829 in Bruken, Den 22 October 1883, Alter 54 2m 26t

This is just a sampling; the cemetery's tombstones were last read in 1999 and published by the Defiance County Genealogical Society.  A copy may be purchased from the website or a copy of the Washington Twp. Cemetery Tombstone readings should be in all the Defiance Public Libraries.

Emmanuel Lutheran Church - Washington Township, Defiance County, Ohio

 As one travels north of Ney on Route 15 just past Beerbower Road, on the left, a cemetery will come into view.  Once a church sat there, founded by early immigrant settlers in about 1864.  According to a history of the church, the founders of this congregation were:

O. Fieldner - J. C. Vollmer - J. G. Vollmer - Jacob Goller - John Goller, Sr. - G. Goller - J. Armbruster - J. G. Renz - John Goller - J. Spieth - F. Straehle - J. Schmidt -A. Haase - G. Straehle - G. Guenther - C. Schwarzbek - F. Wilhelm - C. Dreher and F. Ihmelmann

 

On photo: Ev. Luth. Immanuels Kirche - Emmanuel Lutheran Church - Ney, Ohio

This church building was erected here in 1875 by Chr. Bergman, contractor, for $1,500, with the dedication on December 5, 1875.  In 1879, the congregation joined the Evangelical Synod.  In 1912, the church was remodeled with a new addition added, along with some stained glass windows.

Parishioners of the church in about 1902, with photo from the collection of John and Luella Weller.

Row 1 (l to r): John Billow, Ferman Haase, Fay Moog, Elmer Schwartzbek, Carl Schwarzbek, Dale Vollmer, Esther Bruner, Alma Haase Weller, Lydia Vollmer Billow, William Weller, Ernest Smith

Row 2: Court Schwarzbek, Julius Moog, Frank Vollmer, William Vollmer, Amand Weber?, Harry Billow, Otis Moog, Laura Wilhelm, Emma Fieldner Goller, Florence Vollmer Moog, Ida Haase Harmon, Martha Kaltenback Fieldner, Frieda Smith Mulligan

Row 3: Gusta Moog Vollmer, Wilhelmina Bergman, Charles Smith, Carl Fieldner, George Vollmer, Willie Billow, Tillie Vollmer, Emma Bruner?, Stella Haase, ? , Rosa Bergman, Martha Koeppe, ?Burgbacher, Rose Fieldner Goller, Ethel Harmon Fieldner, Grandma Vollmer, Grandpa Vollmer, Rev. Frederick Hinkleman

Row 4: Dorothea Vollmer, Christian Vollmer, Lisetta Vollmer, Clara Burgbacher, Herman Burgbacher, Emanuel Vollmer, Theodore Schwarzbek, William Koeppe, Louisa Vollmer, William Bergman, Stella Goller, Oscar Bergman, Carrie Burgbacher, Own Burgbacher, Bertha Koeppe Goller, Gottlieb (John) Weller, Hulda Vollmer Koeppe, Leo Bergman, Sophia Weller, Selina Weller Lampl, Oney Goller, Amelia Smith Elser, Emma Moog, Otto Koeppe, Anna Vollmer, Albert Haase Jr. , John Bergman, Clara Vollmer, Otto Fieldner, Sherm Bruner, Ernest Vollmer, Wilma Vollmer    

In the 1930s, this church and St. Paul Lutheran in Bryan merged with Trinity Lutheran Church in Bryan.  Eventually, in 1947, the Emanuel church building was purchased and moved to Williams Center.

                                                   Bryan Press, December 10, 1947

The church was officially formed in 1864, and birth and baptismal records are available from 1865-1931; marriage records from 1879, confirmation records fro 1869 on to 1931.  Records may be at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bryan, but BGSU has also microfilmed all the records.

This church also had its own burying grounds behind and eventually to the sides of the church building.  Next blog - the cemetery at Emmanuel.

Thank you for all the research contributions, Deb Dietrich Conley.

Ney - Washington Township School - 1920 and 1924

District #5, the Ney - Washington Township School, had a Primary section.  This photo is thought to be from about 1920.  All of these students had one teacher.

None identified.

These are the high school students from the Ney - Washington Township School, District #5, in Ney from about 1924.

Bottom Row, 2nd from Right: Edgar Bergman
Top Row, Extreme Right: Clifford Koeppe?

If you could help with any identification, please comment!

The Ney Saloon

The first mention found of a saloon in Ney was in 1889 when the Defiance County Republican reported on August 30 that "there was strong talk of a saloon starting up in Ney."

In 1891, the Farmers' Convention was held in Ney and the Defiance Democrat reported: "The water was excellent and there was plenty of it.  The delegates had to be contented with that alone, for it is said there are no saloons in Ney."  

But, eventually, Ney did get their saloon.

This photo is labeled 1899 and shows the inside of the Ney Saloon.  

 The two young boys and dog were not identified, but the men were, but if listed in order or not is unknown.  The men: Charly Weber, Weston Welker, Ed Kibble, John Maisch, Johnie Kibble, Charles Hehr.  An arrow pointed to Johnie Kibble as the man in front of the bar by the stool.
It appeared a gas light was above the bar.
Who owned the bar at this time?  It seemed to change hands frequently.

Among the owners were Weston W. Welker, Ed Kibble, John Hehr and H. M. Kelley.  At various times, there may have been two saloons in the village.

This undated photograph is labeled on the back: "Old Saloon - outside"

The back of the photo identified the man on the left as Frank Dunkle and the man with the apron as John Hehr.  By enlarging the photo, one can discern a barber's pole on the small addition on the left side, so that likely was the barber.  On the far right of the building is a sign, "Sherwin Williams Paint," so that side may have been a hardware or store of some sort.  But in the middle, beside the right side window by the double doors, is a Diehl Beer sign.  Aha, the saloon in the center. The shadow of a seated man may be seen in the right side window.

The papers actively reported an altercation in one Ney Saloon in late September and early October, 1900.

And later...
"John Small, who assaulted Wm. Lantz with a chair in a Ney Saloon, Sept. 10th, was fined $10 and cost by Judge J. H. Hockman Tuesday.  He will stand committed until fine and cost, amounting to $30, are paid."

On January 17, 1901 : "H.M. Kelly, the saloonist, has sold his Bryan saloon and will move to Ney.  Later editions of the newspaper indicated that the plan may have fallen through.

The presence of the saloon in Ney was very controversial.  What rules did they have to follow?  In the Defiance Crescent-News on May 5, 1902:

"Weston W. Welker, the Ney saloonist, recently convicted of violating the ordinance regulating the saloons of that village, has taken the matter into the common pleas and on account of alleged error in the proceedings before the Mayor of Ney, with the hope of having his conviction reversed.  Baker and Phelps, attorney for Welker."

In 1905, James Herzter purchased a saloon in Ney, and Ed Kibble ran a saloon in 1907.
"Ed Kibble is running a saloon in Ney and has now bought the M. E. church which was sold to the highest bidder.  He says he will turn it into an ax handle factory."
Defiance Weekly Express, July 12, 1907)

In 1913, one paper reported four saloons in Sherwood and two in Ney.  The state kept increasing their license/tax costs in order to force them out, but it didn't seem to work.  Ney voted by a slim margin to maintain their saloon(s) in 1914, reported the Defiance Crescent News.

Please comment and tell us what you know about the old saloon or saloons in Ney.

The Stave Factory in Ney

Thought to be employees of the Stave Factory in Ney, circa 1890's

Newspapers reported a stave factory in Ney as early as 1889, run by the Woods Brothers.  It was in operation until at least 1894. 

Defiance Democrat - February 7, 1889

From the Defiance County Republican Express - October 27, 1892:

"Geo. Wood has been a lifelong Democrat and is running a large stave factory at Ney, Washington township, a Democratic stronghold.  During the year, he gives employment to hundreds of men and boys and pays out thousands of dollars for timber and labor."

George Woods spoke in an interview in 1894 that he was thinking about closing the factory and moving on to where he could find cheaper lumber, but the actual closing date of the factory is not known.

On January 11, 1900, the Defiance Weekly Express reported that another factory would be replacing the stave factory.

"New factory.  The Decatur, Ind. Egg Crate company has recently established a crate mill and stave factory on the grounds of the old Woods stave factory at Ney.  The new company has bought the ground on which the mill is located as well as many acres of timber land in the vicinity."

The stave factory was located on the west side of the railroad tracks to the south.  (1890 plat map)

 

Some Early Postmasters in the Small Towns of Defiance County

In the early days before rural free delivery, mail could be picked up at a designated local store or a home in a particular village.  The postmasters were appointed, and in this list below, surprisingly, one will find quite a few women listed. 
Many of the small villages no longer exist, but may be found on the old plat maps.

Postmasters and Date of Appointment from the original book of the Appointments of U. S. Postmasters:

Adams Ridge
John Conn - Sept. 24, 1869
John Curtland - June 6, 1881
John Davison - Oct. 31, 1881
John L. Davison - Nov. 28, 1881
Albert Rowe - June 23, 1884
Philip Schwartzel - Aug. 4, 1885

Ayersville
Eneas F. Palmer - Nov. 20, 1871
Jonathan M. Viets - Aug. 2, 1876
Nathan A. Boutell - Oct. 7. 1879
Mrs. Rachel Boutell - (date unreadable)
Alfred C. Henry - Aug. 23, 1889

Brunersburgh
Charles F. Clemmons - Oct. 9, 1869 
Wm. W. Warren - Mar. 31, 1874
Chas. F. Clemmons - Mar 24, 1875
Daniel Bruner - Dec. 15, 1879

Cicero
John F. Culler - Sept. 22, 1870
George W. Dickerhoof - May 22, 1885
Rudolph J. Battershell - May 14, 1886
Miss Rosa Miller - Nov. 11, 1886
John F. Haller - Nov. 30, 1889
William Battershell - July 3, 1890

Evansport
John Cameron - Oct. 30, 1865
Robt. B. Cameron - Sept. 6, 1875
Alvara Cameron - June 1881
Henry F. Toberon - June 1885
Asa Toberon Jan. 7, 1886
Thomas E. Snider - Jan. 23, 1888
Frederick Speiser - Apr. 4, 1888
Enoch B. Mapes - Aug. 23, 1889 

Farmer 
John Norway - Apr. 10, 1866
Emory E. Martin - Aug. 21, 1885
Mrs. Belle Bowker - May 21, 1889

Hicksville
Mrs. Julia C. Donafin - Feb. 16, 1870, reappointed in 1883
Jacob Wesner - July 3, 1886
John Berger - Aug. 7, 1890

Milo
George W. Chapman - Feb. 23, 1866
John D. Pearson - Aug 23, 1880
Post office closed on Feb. 5, 1884.  Mail to Farmer.

Ney
David E. Welker - Mar 8, 1870

Philip Crago  - Dec. 11, 1877
Philip M. Crago - Dec. 31, 1877
Jacob Warner - Apr. 28, 1885
John Paxton - July 22, 1889

Wilseyville
William McCaller - Feb. 20, 1869
Bella B. Beebee - Aug 12, 1874
Mrs. Elizabeth Osmun - Sept. 30, 1875
Wm. M. Haller - June 6, 1876
Closed Apr. 16, 1883.  Mail to Cicero.

Sherwood
Johnson Miller - Oct. 24, 1874
Geo. Rock - Feb. 4, 1876
M. H. Robertson - Jan. 15, 1884
William W. Heuff - Dec. 8, 1885
John Rock - June 17, 1889
T. Maud Boor - May 15, 1891

White City
Saul D. Snyder - July 6, 1875
Jos. Howard - Feb. 24, 1876
Closed July 5, 1876.

Mark Center
Mrs. Marietta Kyle - July 6, 1875
Saul D. Snyder - Feb. 24, 1871
Josiah Kyle - Sept. 1876
Reinhart F. Hecht - Nov. 15, 1878
Miss Matilda Knight - Apr. 9, 1885
Mrs. Matilda Clapper - Apr. 14, 1886
Julia S. Long - Dec. 14, 1887
Ida Rice - June 3, 1890

Jewell
Simon P. Seiple - Jan. 26, 1876
Welcome G. Mason - Oct. 13, 1879
Joseph Otte - Apr 1, 1881
Edward H. Trowbridge - Nov. 20, 1882
Andrew M. Haight - Jan. 15, 1884
Conrad Moore - June 18, 1885
Charles G. Shasteen - Aug. 23, 1889

Delaware Bend
Daniel Haynes - May 21, 1877
Wallace D. Haynes - Aug. 28, 1877
Mail to The Bend - Oct. 8, 1878

The Bend
Wallace D. Haynes - Oct. 8, 1872
James Haynes - Jan 17, 1881
John Breno - Apr. 27, 1881
James Anderson - July 18, 1889
John Breno - Mar. 4, 1891

Ashwood
Frederick Harmening - Apr. 7, 1879

Moats
Wm. F. Moats - Oct. 11, 1889

Nebo
Geo. W. Speakman - Mar. 3, 1890